TRYON (USA) TO HOST FEI WORLD EQUESTRIAN GAMES™ 2018

The FEI is pleased to announce that the FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2018 will be held at the Tryon International Equestrian Center in North Carolina (USA) following unanimous support from the FEI Bureau during a teleconference today. 

Indeed, following the withdrawal of Bromont earlier this year, the FEI Bureau mandated the President to find a solution and, after a thorough assessment of a number of options, the President proposed that the Bureau allocate the Games to Tryon. 

The original dates for the Games from 12-26 August have been changed to 10-23 September 2018 as a result of two scientific studies commissioned by the FEI, both of which stated that climatic conditions would be significantly more favourable in North Carolina during September, particularly from a horse welfare perspective. The FEI also looked at date clashes with other fixtures on the FEI Calendar to ensure the optimum timeslot for the 2018 Games. 

In light of the timeframe, with the Games in less than two years, existing infrastructure was a crucial factor in the evaluation process. The Tryon team submitted a really impressive bid and the FEI has every confidence in the organising committee. The Tryon International Equestrian Center, created by Mark Bellissimo in Mill Spring, North Carolina boasts excellent facilities for athletes and spectators and virtually all the necessary infrastructure to host the FEI’s flagship event: 1,200 permanent stables; 12 arenas including a floodlit international arena with a potential spectator seating capacity of up to 12,000 and a covered arena with 5,000 seats; a world-class cross country course that will be used for both Eventing and Driving; hundreds of miles of equestrian trails for Endurance; and an on-site state-of-the-art veterinary facility currently under construction. 

The FEI is 100% committed to the FEI World Equestrian Games™ concept and is extremely grateful to all those that showed interest in hosting the 2018 Games. We are looking forward to a successful and milestone edition for 2018.